Days Go By

And kids grow.  And time doesn't slow down.  I was planning on taking a class this summer (my only required class left before internship), but it was M-Th from 11-1pm.  I was really stressed about leaving the kids alone for 3 hours a day, 4 days a week the whole month of June.  The weekend before class started, I was feeling so stressed and unhappy about being gone so much, and it hit me--I can just take that class this fall!  It is a night class (on Thurs nights) this fall, which I hate, but then I realized Chuck will be home with the kids on Thurs nights, but no one would be home with the kids if I took the class this summer.  So I decided to drop the class, and it has been such a huge relief!  I know it was the right decision--I just don't know what took me so long to make it.  So usually I really dread summers--so hot, the kids are all home stuck inside, bored all day, week after week...  But now I feel free.  I'm so relieved that I don't have to be gone that I am looking forward to summer, and enjoying every minute of it (so far).  I have a whole different (much better) perspective on summer.  I don't know why it is such a constant battle for me to put my family first when it comes to school.  My family is my first priority, always.  But sometimes I get caught up in what everyone else is doing, and what is convenient, and forget that I always need to put my family first.  I know I'm doing the right thing by going to school right now, but I know that I can't lose sight of what is most important.  Days go by.  Kids grow.  I know they won't be young forever.  I can hardly believe that Charlie is starting high school.  Four more years, and he'll probably be leaving home for school, then his mission.  Four years!! When I think how fast the last four years have flown, I want to cry!  But instead, I commit to be there for him (and all of them) when they need me.  I will be there for the important moments.  I will be there for the every day moments.  I will be there for my kids, and I feel so blessed that I can be.  I know what a tremendous blessing it is that I have a choice, and I can be there for my kids.  I just need to always make the right choice because days go by...